Will not delist Matrimony, other apps from Playstore till August 18: Google tells Madras High Court

Google India told the Madras High Court on Friday that it will not remove or delist till August 18, mobile apps of Matrimony.com and 13 other digital companies that have challenged the new billing system for its Playstore on android devices..The tech giant made an undertaking to this effect before a Bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and PD Audikesavalu after the Court asked the company to file a reply to the batch of appeals filed by Matrimony and others challenging a single-judge’s order denying them relief..Appearing for Google India, Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya told the Court that a reply would be filed on why no interim relief must be granted to the appellant companies till August 18, the next date of hearing.Senior Advocate and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram appeared for the appellant companies..On August 8, Justice S Sounthar of the Madras High Court had dismissed 14 out of 16 petitions filed by several startup companies challenging Google's new user choice billing system.The single-judge had dismissed the petitions filed by Matrimony.com, Alt digital media, Verve mobile, and a host of other private startup firms.The two remaining petitions that challenged the new billing system are those filed by Disney+ Hotstar and Testbook.While dismissing the batch of 14 petitions, Justice Sounthar had said that the matter fell within the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and that the remedy available under the Competition Act was much more comprehensive than that available before a civil court..Earlier, Google required all app developers to use its Google Play Billing System (GPBS) for all transactions, including paid app downloads and in-app purchases. App developers were charged a commission between 15 to 30 per cent for the services that Google offered.Google’s new billing system allows users to opt for "an alternative billing" option besides GPBS. It allows app developers to use third party billing systems, but imposes a service fee of 11 to 26 per cent.Matrimony and several other app developers have opposed this fee before the High Court.